Action
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
Summary
We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-24- 05, for certain Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, - 302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. AD 2011-24-05 currently requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the hole(s) of the horizontal flange of the keel beam, and repair if necessary. Since we issued AD 2011-24-05, a determination was made that the rototest inspection and applicable corrective actions of a certain fastener hole were inadvertently omitted from the requirements in that AD. This proposed AD would change the inspection compliance times, and, for certain airplanes, would add a one-time ultrasonic inspection for cracking at a certain fastener hole. This proposed AD would also provide optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the fastener holes, which could result in rupture of the keel beam, and consequent reduced structural integrity of the airplane.